Jan. 15, 2017
07:19 am JST

Look, the election was held and the results have been published. Trump won. If a democracy is to function, then people HAVE TO respect the results. If they don't, then we get into fascist/totalitarian realms.. You might not like the result, but you have to accept it.

The incoming president may be a reactionary troll who feels the need to denigrate on twitter anyone who says anything that even mildly offends him, but that is the president we're stuck with for 4 years. That is the voice of the people. If you're not happy with the way things have turned out, there is the constitution and laws that are aimed at keeping presidents in check. If Trump works within these laws and constraints, then I hope he does so in a positive manner. If not, then it is up to the ordinary people to hold him to account. This is not different for Trump than it was for Obama, Bush, Clinton, or those who came before. If there is no integrity in the system, then there is no system at all...

Jan. 15, 2017
07:30 am JST

Millions and millions and millions of us know he's illegitimate. As always, thank you to the most Honorable John Lewis for speaking truth to power. We are witnessing the peaceful transition of power from the USA to Mr Putin.

Jan. 15, 2017
07:55 am JST

Mr. Lewis has the right to express his opinion. I think many rightists must have forgotten the nasty things Republican officials said about Obama.

people HAVE TO respect the results. If they don't, then we get into fascist/totalitarian

If you mean accept the results, I'm in agreement.

However, I disagree with the second statement. If people are not allowed to question and challenge elected officials, then we risk a totalitarian state. Which I'm worried the pres-elect, many Republicans and Trump's Russian friends favor. Trump was elected by a minority of eligible voters. That's the American electoral system. But it could be that the majority of Americans who did NOT vote for Trump fear he'll move the country even closer to an oligarch controlled corporatocracy, i.e. totalitarian state.

Jan. 15, 2017
08:03 am JST

One can accept the results in deference to process yet still believe the winner to stained by illegitimacy. This does not mean rejecting Trump's presidency; it simply means rejecting any claim he might have to a mandate.

Jan. 15, 2017
08:05 am JST

The weekend clash highlighted the sharp contrast between how many African-American view Trump’s inauguration compared with Barack Obama’s eight years ago.

Yes, look at the contrast. Should a Congressman have questioned the legitimacy of Obama's election they would have been called a racist. When private citizen Trump questioned Obama's legitimacy he was called a racist. So instead of taking the high-road Lewis and several other Dems have decided to go low. They have lowered themselves to Trump's level. It is sad to see a once esteemed person such as Rep. Lewis lower himself to Trumps back ally fighting standards. Rep Lewis is a very sore loser and by the Left's standard - a racist.

He's the Electoral College's choice. It's not the same thing. The US people's choice is Hillary Clinton.

The electoral college's choice is the choice of the people of the 50 states. Therefore according to the American Constitution Trump is the peoples choice. America is a constitutional republic - not a mobocrisy. Hillary lost - get over it already.

Jan. 15, 2017
08:07 am JST

@donkusaiJ
Rep John Lewis should keep quiet and not share his view while Mr. Trump #notmypresident can spread fake news and information? The system does not break down precisely because of the check-and-balance and people's right NOT to be silenced. People can judged for themselves who to believe. If the presidency is so insecure and venerable (cannot withstand any criticism) then something is terribly wrong. President Obama, and all presidents before him, are subject to the same scrutiny and attacks from opposing views. What kind of democracy is it to ask people to shut up and rally behind the government regardless of its legitimacy or behavior?

Jan. 15, 2017
08:34 am JST

"Lewis, a 16-term congressman" A good argument for TERM LIMITS. Lifers in congress on both sides of the aisle have got to go. We need a consistent flow of new, fresh and creative solutions in our government. Career politicians are an obstacle to progress because they are too concerned about looking good now and being re-elected, as opposed to implementing the kind of change that will benefit future generations. With term limits politicians would be less concerned about immediate consequences and losing the next election. Instead, they'll be more inclined to do what is needed and beneficial in the long-term.

Jan. 15, 2017
08:34 am JST

People in glass houses ...

The Mayor of Atlanta, which Lewis' district includes, has been a Democrat since 1879, that's 137 years. Since 1855, there have been two Republican mayors, for a couple of years each during Reconstruction. That's 157 years of Democratic rule out of the last 161 years.

Lewis' own seat in the 5th district has been held by a Democrat since 1972, that's 44 years of Democratic rule.

The Presidency has been held by a Democrat for the last 8 years.

But I'm sure Rep. Lewis has all kind of reasons why the crime rate in Atlanta is not the Democrats' fault.

Jan. 15, 2017
08:40 am JST

This isn't a matter of opinion but Lewis is also free to express a lie over and over.....really no different than high level members of the intelligence community, including Jim Clapper and John Brennan and other senior leaders that are engaged in a concerted international effort to discredit and delegitimize Trump as President. If any of these sore losers were asked to produce facts, sources or evidence then the propaganda meme falls apart.

Jan. 15, 2017
08:42 am JST

@turbostat But I'm sure Rep. Lewis has all kind of reasons why the crime rate in Atlanta is not the Democrats' fault.

Curious how you think this comment has anything to do with Lewis's concern about Russia (perhaps the state, perhaps someone/s in Russia) influencing the election and Trump's tweet, which I think is the topic. Are you suggesting that Lewis should not have a voice in criticizing the election process and the pres-elect's tweet because he's (fill in the blank yourself)?

Jan. 15, 2017
08:58 am JST

I have a feeling the illegitimacy issue is going to follow Trump throughout this presidency, the same way that the birther issue followed Obama. With the glaring difference of course being that Obama wasn't actually Kenyan.

The electoral college's choice is the choice of the people of the 50 states. Therefore according to the American Constitution Trump is the peoples choice.

Nope, the people chose Hillary, by a margin of 3 million votes. Trump is the electoral college's choice, not the people's choice.

Jan. 15, 2017
09:30 am JST

@Lizz what actual facts did Trump produce during his campaign?Can you produce facts, sources or evidence of much of what Trump said during his campaign...Remember the guy spent 5 years contesting Obamas legitimacy.He gets upset over an interview contesting his legitimacy...Oh my how thinned skinned man-boy is...

Jan. 15, 2017
09:33 am JST

This is no civil rights leader. Sure back in the 69s he was, having sit ins, to protest the white elite racism of the day. His most recent sit in was him protecting white elites from the horrors of being held accountable.

He is also a befuddled clown, because he clearly can't accept the reality of his party failing so miserably, trump won.

Jan. 15, 2017
09:38 am JST

Jan. 15, 2017
09:42 am JST

@ToddT This is no civil rights leader

That's your opinion, but do you really think a white male is an appropriate arbiter of who's a civil rights 'leader'? Curious who you think would or should be considered a civil rights leader. Undermining those involved in civil rights and questioning their voices is a bit scary to me in these days when white nationalism is on the upswing.

Jan. 15, 2017
09:55 am JST

Curious who you think would or should be considered a civil rights leader.

Why ? Congressman Lewis is telling the entire world who should be president, on the basis of nothing verifiable. Presumably if he had his way Trump would step down before taking the oath of office next week.

Jan. 15, 2017
09:56 am JST

Don't worry. Remember how were told that Trump the president would be different to Trump the candidate. I assume they meant the trash, stupid s###, screechy Twitter brawls and adolescent, thin-skinned yelps would give way to a sensibility befitting the position of president of the most powerful nation on earth.

Jan. 15, 2017
09:57 am JST

WolfpackJAN. 15, 2017 - 08:05AM JST
Yes, look at the contrast. Should a Congressman have questioned the legitimacy of Obama's election they would have been called a racist. When private citizen Trump questioned Obama's legitimacy he was called a racist.

The contrast is that Trump attacked Obama's legitimacy without a shred of evidence. He just didn't like a black man being president. There is not, was not, nor ever has been a single piece of evidence that Obama wasn't born in the US, people just decided to believe it because it was comforting for xenophobes to believe a black man with a non-Anglo name couldn't possibly be one of us. So, yes, Trump was called a racist because his actions revealed a racist character.

Now on the other hand, Lewis has no objection to white people being president, not even orange people. He has no problem with Trump's name. Who Trump is isn't the source of the objection, the objection is what it looks like people have done to give him the victory. That's worthy of investigation. If anything, Trump and his cheerleaders falling to pieces every time someone talks about investigating him is reason enough to think an investigation is warranted.

If you want more evidence for Trump's racism, you can look at the fact that he automatically assumes predominantly black congressional districts are "falling apart" just because they're predominantly black.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:06 am JST

It also demonstrated that no one is untouchable for scorn (by Trump)

Simply shows the bias of the author. In a Democracy, politicians should never be untouchable. But apparently the author believes that after countless terms ruling over failed districts, some deserve holy status - and that they should be allowed too throw rocks with impunity. Fighting hate with tolerance...yeah right.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:11 am JST

There are many that believe Trump's win is illegitimate. And there's evidence to support this theory. But Trump shouldn't be wasting his time responding to every person who criticizes him. He's already stated what he thinks about the situation, so he needs to be concentrating on the fact that he will be inaugurated in the next few days. I'm no fan of Trump but we need him to start acting presidential and stop acting like some child who always has to have the last word. Also, right before MLK day is no time to criticize a respected civil rights leader.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:13 am JST

Jan. 15, 2017
10:23 am JST

I think even Trump's strongest allies/supporters will (eventually) get tired of their leader's negativity. Actually didn't think that Trump was such a negative, bitter person. The bloke would (will) rip into the Dalai Lama, the Queen or Desmond Tutu should they not fully agree with some of his positions, no one's safe.

Seems he has embarked on a 4-year twitter war vs the rest of the world thinking he could win this. He won't. Should give it a rest and stop creating negative energy, no one needs this.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:29 am JST

Should give it a rest and stop creating negative energy, no one needs this.

Needs what ? The media is now forced once again to speculate on Trump's plans for the inner city instead of how certain Congresspeople and the leaders of our nation’s intelligence services are conspiring and scheming to try to prevent him from taking office.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:34 am JST

California, NY and Mass. don't decide the call or the election for the rest of the country. It's over, move on. 6 more days to go.

Yes, look at the contrast. Should a Congressman have questioned the legitimacy of Obama's election they would have been called a racist. When private citizen Trump questioned Obama's legitimacy he was called a racist. So instead of taking the high-road Lewis and several other Dems have decided to go low.

I think Congressman Lewis is a very brave and honorable man, but as you said, he took the low road and when some in the GOP Joe Wilson yelled when Obama was giving a speech "you lie" he was excoriated as he should have been, it was disrespectful for him to have done that, even if there was validity to his argument, but when a CNN reporter interrupts Trump or when a distinguished legend like Congressman Lewis call Trump out on his legitimacy is very, very bad and reflects so poorly on the Democrats as a whole.

They have lowered themselves to Trump's level. It is sad to see a once esteemed person such as Rep. Lewis lower himself to Trumps back ally fighting standards. Rep Lewis is a very sore loser and by the Left's standard - a racist.

100% agreed. Having said that, Trump needs to build a thicker skin and not let the left get under his skin, Bush didn't, not once and Trump just hast to blow all of this off because the left in their whiny and childish mode will never calm themselves, they peddled the race card for 8 years, thank God that's over and now they found a new narrative in questioning his legitimacy as POTUS, good, let them carry on and the country will carry on. It's Trump's job to just ignore these loons.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:40 am JST

California, NY and Mass. don't decide the call or the election for the rest of the country.

But they do have a play in who the choice of the people is. And the choice of the people was not Trump. The people rejected his divisiveness. The people rejected his bigotry. The people rejected his anger. The people did not give him a mandate.

It's over. Even though the Trump will be president, it's a fact that he was not chosen by the people, and does not have a mandate from the people. Move on.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:48 am JST

Even though the Trump will be president, it's a fact that he was not chosen by the people, and does not have a mandate from the people.

Well it came very close to happening the other way in 2004. Naturally Kerry is still crying that he was robbed via systematic fraud. Hopefully you would have been more than delighted to champion Bush as the real president instead of trying to keep picking a fight like this that you could never win.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:50 am JST

Get over it, sir. You are a disgrace to the American system because of your self-centered position. This "all about me" attitude, look at what I have done in the past is not the American way. The first amendment was written just for you. However, you are an elected official and you are going to collect a PAY CHECK to be there. Do your job, go to your office on Monday and start your opposition movement or look for reasons for impeachment. January 20, 2017, is the inauguration of the new president who is your president - everyone's in the USA.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:52 am JST

But they do have a play in who the choice of the people is. And the choice of the people was not Trump.

Stupid, why should in this case CA and NY have full autonomy and dominium over the entire country and tell smaller States, your vote doesn't matter, you fly over states need to shut up, that is the stupidest analogy. That was never what the founding fathers envisioned. Hillary didn't visit Wisconsin once, not once! Hillary was NEVER popular in the coal mining states, Auto industry states and working class Americans, last year when I was driving from L.A. to Florida the two weeks I was there, I barely say Hillary sings and saw signs of Trump everywhere, it was off the charts, but at the time and the way that the media was handling this, I had no idea how red the map would turn. Being from California, yes, it is as blue as it gets, I get it, but the other states i traveled to in the 2 weeks, it was Trump all the way.

The people rejected his divisiveness. The people rejected his bigotry.

the liberals in the bluest of states and the people that believed him to be a bigot.

The people rejected his anger. The people did not give him a mandate.

Yes, the liberals didn't. But the libs have nothing to stand on and NO argument.

It's over.

Exactly, so you guys can either relax and see what Trump will do or drone on this topic, the rest of us don't really care 6 more days and Obama is history the clock can't be turned, even by Rosie O'Donnell. Hillary can spend time with the grandkids and we don't have to worry about her and life will go on.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:56 am JST

bass4funkJAN. 15, 2017 - 10:34AM JST
I think Congressman Lewis is a very brave and honorable man, but as you said, he took the low road and when some in the GOP Joe Wilson yelled when Obama was giving a speech "you lie" he was excoriated as he should have been, it was disrespectful for him to have done that, even if there was validity to his argument,

There wasn't. Wilson's lie accusation was itself a lie.

Also, you seem to be confusing interrupting a formal speech in an important ritual of state with a reporter doing their job in a poorly-organized press conference and a human rights defender calling for investigation when there is legitimate reason to believe a president-elect may be compromised. The false-equivalency on display is astounding.

and reflects so poorly on the Democrats as a whole.

No it doesn't, but you want all Democrats to be bad so you're going to decide it does anyway.

Jan. 15, 2017
11:05 am JST

Which would make a logical person think that the system should be fixed, since it can screw either party, not just one.

So we should use the popular vote and let's say, each time a Republican would get the popular vote that would be ok, to have let's say 20 years of straight Republican rule because they are Republicans? So then, we can write off the Democrats entirely? So if you WERE an American, you would be ok with that? I wouldn't personally. I voted for Clinton twice, if you are a Democrat with good ideas and NOT an ideologue, I'll give you my vote, but for us the system was not designed like that for a reason.
The left NEVER complained about the Electoral system until Trump won, before that it was a complete silent issue and had Hillary won the election and the GOP would raise the same issues, the left would say to the right STHU and deal with it. Now they cry foul. The left does this every single time! Let them stew. Get a decent candidate, get a message, get back to the people, leave the ideology at the door and maybe they can win a future election or two.

Jan. 15, 2017
11:11 am JST

Jan. 15, 2017
11:12 am JST

So we should use the popular vote and let's say, each time a Republican would get the popular vote that would be ok, to have let's say 20 years of straight Republican rule because they are Republicans?

What? Keep on the topic. No one is talking about having 20 year terms.

So then, we can write off the Democrats entirely?

If they were not able to get the people to choose them, then yes. You people voted for Trump based on getting rid of vested interests - having a party that wins due to the manipulation of the system rather than the will of the people is a continuance of vested interests.

if you are a Democrat with good ideas and NOT an ideologue, I'll give you my vote

had Hillary won the election and the GOP would raise the same issues, the left would say to the right STHU and deal with it.

You say that, but once again you're projecting. You're taking your response and saying 'they would do it too', without any equivalent situation to show that your projections are anything more than a fantasy/excuse.

Jan. 15, 2017
11:13 am JST

The logic of having the winner be the candidate with the most votes is just baffling. I mean, it's a democracy, right?

Great Britain, among many others, is a democracy also and they don't vote directly for a prime minister. Actually abolishing the Electoral College would mean presidents elected with smaller and smaller pluralities because you would potentially field dozens of micro candidates concentrating only on one or a subset of states, the “winner” only needing 10 percent of the vote, and representing less than 5 percent of the electorate

Jan. 15, 2017
11:29 am JST

Jan. 15, 2017
11:35 am JST

While this particular article as well as much of what is written in Associated Press by the way it is written and use of selective words starts us off in a discussion of opinions, this use of the internet and social media by Trump is a very good thing to have happened for not only the USA but the entire world.

For the first time in human history, the entire world is finally become aware and participating in what may very well determine the course of human history for generations to come. Never has communication and dissemination of information have affected the people of the world since the use of radio. It has not only the immediacy but the directness and personal intimacy that was not available even through television. Nothing over the direct internet communication is financed, produced, directed, selectively edited and "created" for appeal or to direct or misidrect as the news and other media is capable of. In which case there is limited accountability.

On gets a direct input from the person that is authoring it. It places full "accountability" of what is communicated upon the individual who is writing or saying it. There has been nothing like it in politics or otherwise. That in itself is a heavy burden as well as responsibility, especially for a person that is now the world's most powerful leader.

To have opened up such a discussion regarding a civil rights leader and identifying what "civil rights" mean and the role a civil rights leader has and the burden of responsibility and accountability that leader must possess, is a very important factor for all the people of the world to understand and be able to evaluate for themselves.

It is important to remember that civil rights is a right in the eyes of the laws created by each society's accepted civil government as in the USA and not based upon a single religious value and civil system as in the Islamic world. It is not a moral or any such idealistic right. It is a socially applicable, practical and enforceable right.

Of course such rights do reflect morals, ethics and other social, religious and so called human values, but it is still in the "legal" realm. The problem is in the interpretation and application as well as the enforcement of such laws that reflect rights that can be a problem for those the different values, opinions,needs, etc. Therefore those who are in various civil rights movements often contradict and oppose what exists.

The key is to know that in any society, civil disobedience must first consider the rights of others as well as oneself. And any leader must truly reflect those whom he represents and within the acceptable system that has been recognized and accepted by that society, do his/her best to bring understanding and if needed changes hat may benefit not only his groups but the rest of the society as a whole. He must think and act (play a role) which be beneficial to the society in which his group belongs and not just for his own group.

Otherwise, as with all migrants, must move out of that society. Or, in some cases actually revolt. However, in a world where open and meaningful communication and negotiation is possible within the system, as within the USA, and when Trump is trying to unite the country and the world as a world leader, to move forward, to "instigate" and "entice" unreasonable and socially and otherwise damaging activity at least for now, is not wanted.

Therefore, for Trump to bring the matter to the attention of the world via social media is probably useful and effective.

Jan. 15, 2017
11:35 am JST

No one is talking about having 20 year terms.

That's exactly what you are asking.

If they were not able to get the people to choose them, then yes. You people voted for Trump based on getting rid of vested interests - having a party that wins due to the manipulation of the system rather than the will of the people is a continuance of vested interests.

Wow! LMAO! Hey, good luck peddling that. Like I said, for me, Having Hillary NOT at that podium was the best Christmas gift in my life and my greatest birthday present will happen in 6 days.

Only the electoral college does.

Yes and the people that voted, I did and from the Electoral college he tallied with his 306 to her 232. Black turnout for Hillary was low, worker turnout was low. White male turnout was low. A woman flawed, no message, no agenda, couldn't connect with the people.

You seem to forget 2000.

I was covering that, I most definitely remember it and No way, I could forget that and the whiny and screaming the Dems did then.

You say that, but once again you're projecting. You're taking your response and saying 'they would do it too', without any equivalent situation to show that your projections are anything more than a fantasy/excuse.

If history is any indicator, I have been dealing and working in politics and my experience in this business since 1988, I can say beyond a shadow of a doubt with deep certainty, they would do exactly that given their history.

The right does it every single time PLUS one! I win!

Hmmm...Yup, the left think this is all a game, anyway, I decided to make pizza for the inauguration of our 45th president. Hey, he's a New Yorker, gotta get the full feel. Too excited!

Jan. 15, 2017
11:37 am JST

I mean, it's a democracy, right?

Please stop with all your constant nonsense and brainwashing. We understand the pain you feel because your hope and glory lost. Please enlighten yourself with a brief history lesson.
http://factmyth.com/factoids/the-united-states-of-america-is-a-democracy/

Jan. 15, 2017
11:52 am JST

@Lizz Why ? Congressman Lewis is telling the entire world who should be president, on the basis of nothing verifiable..Well, you voted for Trump..Please start verifying all the claims Trump has made..nope didn't think so..Presumably if he had his way Trump would step down before taking the oath of office next week..Well not only him a majority of the American people by the looks of it or maybe that is fake news too..

Jan. 15, 2017
11:56 am JST

PTownsend: Curious how you think this comment has anything to do with Lewis's concern about Russia (perhaps the state, perhaps someone/s in Russia) influencing the election and Trump's tweet, which I think is the topic. Are you suggesting that Lewis should not have a voice in criticizing the election process and the pres-elect's tweet because he's (fill in the blank yourself)?

If you want to talk about the hacks, why don't you tell us why you still think the intelligence community's public relations campaign is still unfalsifiable, after it's come to light that the DNC denied the FBI access to the 'hacked' servers, so the entity the FBI is relying on for their second-hand information is a company the DNC hired, a company run by an anti-Russian-government Russian ex-pat, said company also tied (as a 'senior fellow') to a foundation controlled by a Ukrainian billionaire who donated $25M to Hillary's Clinton Foundation, and said company also tied to Google who provided them with major funding, Google whose ex-CEO Schmidt just happened to be funding a big data IT effort attempting to ensure Hillary's election.

John Lewis, the Democratic National Committee, Obama's FBI, the Russian ex-pat, the Ukrainian billionaire, senior never-Trumper congressmen McCain and Graham, the NYT, WaPo, CNN, and Buzzfeed wouldn't have any motive to inflate, misconstrue, or even LIE about any of their information, would they? Why, they're just trying to ensure the honesty of the election process!

Jan. 15, 2017
12:27 pm JST

He's son in law is Jewish

Trump is a terrible racist person for going public thinking Obama was born in Kenya. He also thinks that Mexicans are terrible people. He also said he wants a complete Muslim ban and wants a registry. His followers also think so.

He hates Mexico and Mexicans so much he's willing to lie to the American tax payers to build his 50 foot x 2,000 mile wall to help isolate the USA from the rest of the world. Mexico will not pay for the wall no more than Trump will get Hillary arrested. Trump said he would get Hillary arrested and lied about that. He cannot be trusted.

Jan. 15, 2017
12:28 pm JST

In a 6 degrees of separation sense I can see how you made your connection. But then using that 6 degrees line of reasoning I can say Trump’s a Putin puppet. (Or more likely a politician who’s seen how rich a fellow politician like Putin is and now wants to emulate him.)

why don't you tell us why you still think the intelligence community's public relations campaign is still unfalsifiable

I can’t say with any certainty, as you well know. All I can offer is an opinion based on what I believe from sources I’ve read. Though I have great distrust in the US intelligence community, I have even greater mistrust in the Russian intelligence community. And I do think someone in Russia was and probably is still involved in manipulating US politics. I'd like to know why the US alt right media is siding with Russia and pushing Russia's agenda.

wouldn't have any motive to inflate, misconstrue, or even LIE about any of their information, would they

Of course they might; same with Trump, the Republican Party, the US rightists who support Trump, the KKK, the Russians, the US’s pro-Russian businessmen, the alt right media, Rupert Murdoch etal.

Jan. 15, 2017
12:32 pm JST

"You seem to forget 2000."

"I was covering that, I most definitely remember it and No way, I could forget that and the whiny and screaming the Dems did then."

Were you also covering 2012 when Trump called the electoral college a "disaster for democracy" after the bungling clown wrongly thought Romney had won the popular vote? Nevertheless, he did express his feelings about democracy.

Did Trump comment on the 2000 election when I assume he'd have regarded the election of Bush as a disaster for democracy?

Jan. 15, 2017
12:33 pm JST

katsu: There wasn't. Wilson's lie accusation was itself a lie.

Nope: "(wikipedia, Joe Wilson): ... Prior to Obama's speech, Democrats had twice rejected amendments to the bill requiring documentation of legal status in the United States in order to receive benefits under the proposed plan, contending that a more complex application process would delay or prevent citizens from receiving health care. ...". Also, Wilson issued a public statement of apology the day of the outburst.

Jan. 15, 2017
12:40 pm JST

Then how did she get more votes than Trump, by MILLIONS? Or are you just saying Trump connects even less?

California and New York, Mass. doesn't count and doesn't dictate for the rest of the country who can be president. We don't go by the popular vote, that is not our system.

Trump won The Electorate 306 to Hillary's 232 final count. She had her chance to get as many electoral votes, they were up for grabs, she didn't. She didn't appeal to the majority of Blacks, to men and a large portion of American hispanics. Anyway, it's over, so how will you be celebrating next Saturday. I'm going to make pepperoni pizza and you?

Were you also covering 2012 when Trump called the electoral college a "disaster for democracy" after the bungling clown wrongly thought Romney had won the popular vote?

I sure did and felt the same exactly the same way and thought that Trump didn't know what he was talking about.

Nevertheless, he did express his feelings about democracy.

That's fine, you are supposed to do that.

Did Trump comment on the 2000 election when I assume he'd have regarded the election of Bush as a disaster for democracy?

Jan. 15, 2017
12:43 pm JST

Jan. 15, 2017
12:49 pm JST

At least for now, the entire nation is not only aware but cognizant that the entire government system including the justice system and the supreme court has become politicized and must be scrutinize not by elected politicians, but by the people themselves.

However, there is major problem which must be addressed. It appears that much of the general public is not aware nor knowledgeable nor properly educated to know and understand as well as appreciate the system and process available to correct the political system now dominated by a fraternity of organized political elites hast not only has power but the wealth and manpower to keep such a system in their favor. To begin with the educational system has made sure that only a limited number of the population actually has a proper unbiased and nonpolitical view of the system to begin with. On top of all that there are too many immigrants that do not understand English and do not even recognize and respect the USA and or its system.

Given that scenario and situation, connecting Russia to any political party is nonsensical. They are already fully connected and working behind the scenes any way. The bigger issue is the "divisiveness" of the entire effort now being put forward by the progressive Democratic party which by that effort invites not only foreign atrocities but even war.

We must see who is benefiting from all this. It is certainly NOT the people of the USA or even the rest of the world. That is especially so when the world is already in turmoil.

Jan. 15, 2017
12:57 pm JST

I'm going to worry about how he's going to stiff the US taxpayers for his mighty wall since Mexico won't pay.

He'll borrow it. It's so predictable - the GOP is always a fiscal hawk when out of power but a spendthrift when in. The last GOP president who made an effort to rectify the budget deficit was GWH Bush - beloved now but only served one term.

Spigots: On! Not necessarily a bad thing depending on where the spending is directed, but it does glaringly display their hypocrisy.

Jan. 15, 2017
12:58 pm JST

@Strangerland: I have a feeling the illegitimacy issue is going to follow Trump throughout this presidency, the same way that the birther issue followed Obama.

You are correct. Trump's legitimacy will be questioned by his political enemies. But those attacks will not change the fact that he is, in fact, the legitimate President-elect of the US regardless of Trumps role in attacking Obama (or Dems attacks on Bush as a war criminal) in the past. I am sure that the alt-Left feel better to vent on Trump after having suffered a disastrous defeat at the hands of a man who is a buffoon. I suppose Obama and Lewis cannot sleep at night because their Leftist agenda is under threat by a Republican president that doesn't play by the agree upon corrupt governing rules that we have seen from presidents of both parties going back decades.

Jan. 15, 2017
01:04 pm JST

Twitter comment of the day, from Georgia Democrats:

"@realDonaldTrump How do we make this easy for you.... Удалить свой аккаунт.". The Russian part reads, "delete your account" heh.

Are Trump fans still trying to talk around Trump's beating in the popular vote? I thought we were done with this. You can say that Trump will be pres, and that's it. Talk of the people supporting Trump or rejecting Clinton/Obama is just fake news. Millions more Americans chose a Democrat with massive baggage in an election with low turnout by Democrats, and Obama's ratings dominate over Donald's. That will be true tomorrow as well.

Why do so many people dislike Trump? A big reason is because he is racist. Look for him to continue to attack a black American civil rights leader. He also championed the birther movement because Obama is black and got sued by the US government for refusing to rent to black people. You would have to have no problem with this to support Trump, and it's a big reason why he finished so far behind in the popular vote to Clinton, a woman who fought for black rights.

In short, Trump can't hold a candle to a man like Lewis. We give medals to people like him. We laugh at people like Trump.

Jan. 15, 2017
01:08 pm JST

Don't worry, through tariffs and remittances

No, because there is Bitcoin and trust accounts- cannot be traced. Also, if there are tariffs that make Mexican imports expensive then Americans will just import cheap items from a cheap labor country that Trump does NOT hate- yet (which there are many- still) and it will mean (1) Americans will continue to get the same cheap products (2) Ruin Mexican economy- Trump and his followers hate Mexico anyway so they are fine with that (3) More Mexicans jumping over the wall with ladders and ropes from Trump ruining Mexico's economy. (4) The wall never being paid for because Mexico has no money for it anyway from Trump's warth.

I believe in the IRS, they never fail.

Yes, everyone in the US deals with with IRS on the US side for taxes and has nothing to do with money going to Mexico. The IRS does not deal with Mexicans in Mexico. Not relevant.

And Trump followers think the wall will have all this high tech stuff- it's proof they take science fiction movies like Jurassic Park too seriously. Attention Trump followers: It's Hollywood and not the real world.

Jan. 15, 2017
01:10 pm JST

@bass4funk He's son in law is Jewish..Never knew Jewish was a race from my understanding that it was a religion.His closest spokesperson is Black...Well you know what they say about friends and enemies..Don't worry, through tariffs and remittances and other forms of taxing them, we'll get reimburse. I believe in the IRS, they never fail...Yes, and it will send the World into another Global recession while doing so.Not like Trump business where you can claim bankruptcy and start again and again..

Jan. 15, 2017
01:16 pm JST

bass4funk: "California and New York, Mass. doesn't count and doesn't dictate for the rest of the country who can be president."

You said she was disconnected -- I pointed out how far more connected she is with the people than the man who was chosen to be president. You can try and deflect all you want about that fact, but as long as the fact that she got more votes, in a democracy, than the person chosen, she is therefore more apt to be called the person chosen by the people -- literally. You cannot deny that. Period.

"Anyway, it's over,"

Far from. The man has not even started and has offended anyone and everyone before starting. Now he's also alienating himself from many in the GOP with his personal Twitter war, not to mention the media (and we're talking REAL media, not the rag you work for and borrow from). It was funny to watch Gingrich and that senile idiot Giuliani panicking and saying it would give the media MORE freedom... like it was a bad thing they can't control it better. Haha. Anyway, if you really can't accept, and can't defend you're "he was chosen by the people" comments when it's pointed out he was not, then you shouldn't make them.

"so how will you be celebrating next Saturday. I'm going to make pepperoni pizza and you?"

Haven't thought about it. I'll make whatever I feel like making, same as every other night. Pepperoni pizza is not exactly what I'd choose for my "last meal" anyway. Enjoy it -- Trump is going to be out soon after he's in. And it'll be fun to see the "whataboutobamabengazhiclinton" crowd keep saying, "It's over -- forget it!", etc. when the shoe is on the other foot.

Some of you guys STILL stand behind the birther thing! haha. And still think there are WMDs in Iraq for that matter, never mind Clinton and Bengazhi. So, stop suggesting "it's over" when there are actually grounds for a whole lot of impeachment, if not more.

No. The arguments the Dems are pushing have severe weaknesses. The press and Dem supporters don't seem to care. This is as usual.

PTownsend: Another 'curious': Are you concerned that Russia might be trying to influence US politics? Of all my concerns about a Trump presidency, that's high on my list.

Just google "ukraine hillary". See if you're still concerned when the (recent) news is about Ukraine working with Hillary to discredit Trump, and that Ukraine is now backtracking on that, to attempt to get into the new President's good graces.

And aren't you concerned that it appears the DNC may have faked the Russian hacking? If not, why did they refuse the FBI direct access to their servers?

The hacking narrative really needs to have something to it before I'd believe it. ALL of the parties pushing it have, or may have, motives to push it. The reasoning and evidence they're providing is weak. I understand why the Dems and their fellows would jump at any chance to discredit Trump. It's like a doctor hitting their knee with a rubber hammer; they almost HAVE to kick. The question is why the rest of us should accept it?

There was much stronger evidence that the Chinese helped fund Bill Clinton's 1996 election effort, illegally. Clinton having won the election, his DOJ buried the investigation. Were you concerned about that? Wouldn't that tend to disqualify Hillary from seeking the presidency herself?

Anyway, sure, they can go ahead and have hearings and investigations on the 'Russian attempt to influence the 2016 election'. Why not? And they should also investigate the 'Ukrainian attempt to influence the election'. I'm not saying they shouldn't look into these.

Jan. 15, 2017
01:18 pm JST

Where did you see 'racism' ? Please, explain.

Of course he's racist. The KKK, Bundies, David Dukes, White power people all love Trump. Dylann Roof supports Trump. They wouldn't if he was not racist. And look at how Trump talks about Mexicans. He thinks they are the scum of the earth- and how he said the judge overseeing the Trump University case was a Mexican. He wants to build his 2000 mile x 50 foot solid concrete wall and make Mexico like it's one big concentration camp.

Yes, he is racist. I understand that you and other Trump followers think that Obama was born in Kenya and hate Mexicans- but sorry to say, it is racist. People can see themselves as not being racist but they really are. Slave owners didn't see themselves as being racist, for example.

And don't forget he wants to ban all Muslims (a lot of Trump followers think that Islam is an actual country on the map somewhere). He is a very racist man and so are his followers.

Jan. 15, 2017
01:22 pm JST

Are Trump fans still trying to talk around Trump's beating in the popular vote?

Oh, get over it? LOL! the whining just make you guys on the left look spoiled losers. Seriously, No one is listening to that left desperate rant.

I thought we were done with this. You can say that Trump will be pres, and that's it. Talk of the people supporting Trump or rejecting Clinton/Obama is just fake news.

Dunno, when I was in Florida, it was hard to find people loving Hillary. I wonder if Streep would have given the same speech in front of all those Carrier workers or Auto workers if they would have applauded and agreed with her and her comment, standing there with her designer gown on worth thousands of dollars. I wonder....

Millions more Americans chose a Democrat with massive baggage in an election with low turnout by Democrats, and Obama's ratings dominate over Donald's. That will be true tomorrow as well.

And millions didn't come out. Where were the Blacks? Where were the men? Everyone tried to help her, Obama, the biggest liberal news outlets, Hollywood, silicon valley and still she lost.

Why do so many people dislike Trump?

Because Trump wants to fundamentally change Washington and not politically correct about it and good on him for that.

A big reason is because he is racist.

His son in law is Jewish and his spokeswoman is Black. Can you try again and make a better excuse?

Look for him to continue to attack a black American civil rights leader.

So you are saying, Lewis being Black gives him the right to undermine and disrespect the president elect. Don't you think that's kinda......racist?

He also championed the birther movement because Obama is black and got sued by the US government for refusing to rent to black people.

But the left never and fail to mention that the whole thing started in the Hillary camp during the 2008 election.

You would have to have no problem with this to support Trump, and it's a big reason why he finished so far behind in the popular vote to Clinton, a woman who fought for black rights.

Blacks didn't feel the love, they didn't turn out in huge numbers, so they didn't agree and it wasn't enough to motivate them to vote for her. But Trump got 8% of the Black vote, although small, those people understood a serious change was necessary.

In short, Trump can't hold a candle to a man like Lewis. We give medals to people like him. We laugh at people like Trump.

Really? Judging by the way the left has been falling apart these last 2 months, you think they are more panicking. LOL
Anyway, Pizza and beer at my place on the 20th. It's gonna be hand tossed, I'm growing organic basil for the occasion.

Jan. 15, 2017
01:41 pm JST

That is the voice of the people. No this is the voice of the electoral college, Id wish people would stop using that BS argument. The polls clearly show "the people" preferred a different POTUS than Trump.

Jan. 15, 2017
01:46 pm JST

Nothing over the direct internet communication is financed, produced, directed, selectively edited and "created" for appeal or to direct or misidrect as the news and other media is capable of.

Wow. The mind boggles at what this could possibly refer to. It's certainly neither Breitbart nor Mother Jones. It can't be the beautiful ever-blooming avenues of our favorite hue created by Google or Facebook algorithms.

Nor could it be the retweets of one who protests "Bill (O'Reilly), am I going to check every statistic?"

Finally, we love the irony of a thesis on objectivity that couldn't resist knocking Islam. Sauce for the goose?

Jan. 15, 2017
01:53 pm JST

AP: ... I don’t see this president-elect as a legitimate president,” Lewis said ...

Something is wrong here. The headlines (AP and others) are claim that Trump is attacking Lewis. Is AP sure they're quoting Lewis correctly? Surely it can't be that Lewis attacked Trump?

(foxnews.com) .... Lewis explained his decision to stay away from the inauguration as "you cannot be at home with something that you feel that is wrong, is not right." He said it will be the first inauguration he has missed in three decades, a time that includes Democrats and Republicans taking the oath of office. ...

The first in 30 years he's missed. That means he overcame his qualms in 1996, and made to the inauguration Bill Clinton won with the help of mainland China.

Jan. 15, 2017
01:57 pm JST

Jan. 15, 2017
01:58 pm JST

Yes, that's Trump. Clinton didn't start it.

Now the left doesn't like to read anymore all of a sudden? They start the birther gossip and now they want to run away? LMAO! Ahhhh, now that explains why Dems and libs lose elections, they hate reading facts, good to know.

Liberals don't want a wall that completely blocks the view of Mexico.

Who cares, they're not running the country. By the way, you like pepperoni or spicy sausage?

Jan. 15, 2017
03:04 pm JST

Dear Mr. Lewis and Ms. Water:
You swore to up hold the Constitution of the United States of America. If you do not understand this oath, then resign. Loophole time! The Constitution is your savior. You cannot be prosecuted for not upholding your oath. It is the law. Go to work and do something for the people now rather than blaming everyone for an outcome that you do not like.

Jan. 15, 2017
03:54 pm JST

Jan. 15, 2017
04:17 pm JST

@turbosat Just google "ukraine hillary". See if you're still concerned when the (recent) news is about Ukraine working with Hillary to discredit Trump, and that Ukraine is now backtracking on that, to attempt to get into the new President's good graces.

Once again I don't see how this fits the topic. The issues your country has with the Ukraine don't concern me directly. Let your politicians sort them out with the Ukrainians'. I just hope no one gets dioxin-ated (I made up that word) this time.

And aren't you concerned that it appears the DNC may have faked the Russian hacking? If not, why did they refuse the FBI direct access to their servers?

And once again, that's your understanding based on your worldview and the sources you read and trust. I'll play backatcha: can you PROVE the hacking was faked? If your source is TASS or another Putin media outlet, I'll trust it as much as the Breitbart info you post, i.e. not at all. Modus vivendi.

Jan. 15, 2017
04:24 pm JST

Jan. 15, 2017
04:30 pm JST

Conservatives are a bunch of hypocrites. I clearly remember when Obama was elected, so many of them were calling the election a fix and that it was illegitimate. Now, when the shoe's on the other foot, all they can say is "Trump won, there is no fix, he won fair and square; get over it". I bet if Trump lost, they would've surely been calling it fixed. Yet, because he won, it wasn't fixed. Bad logic if you ask me.

Jan. 15, 2017
04:32 pm JST

This will show you how Trump is unfit for the job. He thinks highly of Putin and disrespect John Lewis. I have learned Trump's father was a member of KKK, so this is not a surprise to me. We need to work harder to kick this crazy man "CHEETO" out of office with handcuff. Sooner the better. Are you with me?

Jan. 15, 2017
07:05 pm JST

For it to be illegal, his campaign would have had to do something illegal to get him elected.

Democrats are the ones making the accusations of foreign interference. As Anderson Cooper explained: “I just remember that before the election, there was all of this talk of ‘Would Donald Trump accept the results of the election?’ and there was a long of hand-ringing about, ‘Oh, well, what if he doesn’t accept the results and how terrible that will be." Don't forget this fake fiction story was around all summer. Why wasn't anything brought up then ? Because they all thought Hillary was going to win.

Jan. 15, 2017
07:09 pm JST

bass4funk: "I got a better idea, in the next couple of years, Democrats and liberals tone down the rhetoric, stop whining, stop being vindictive, petty, sore losers, stop trying to grow land mines at Trump hasn't worked then and won't work now, get a message, accept personally responsibility, accept accountability, be more objective, tell Hollyweird to shut up and stay out of politics-PERIOD! "

You mean what you are STILL doing in regards to Obama even today? because you just made a shopping list of what you've been doing for more than 8 years.

Jan. 15, 2017
07:47 pm JST

I'm sorry, in 6 more days, we don't have to discuss Obama anymore, is that ok?

because you just made a shopping list of what you've been doing for more than 8 years.

I'm sorry, but I'm not good with liberal humor. Anyway, the list I outlined, are things Dems need to work on if they want to even be considered as a relevant party. If they don't and want to keep losing elections, fine by me.

But 80,000 voters in Wisconsin, Pennsylvania, and Michigan do, apparently.

As well as the OTHER States where Trump won, like Florida, Iowa, Utah and most of the other States in which definitely he needed to win, had he lost Florida....Hillary would have been the next president.

Jan. 15, 2017
08:17 pm JST

bass4funk: "I'm sorry, in 6 more days, we don't have to discuss Obama anymore, is that ok?"

HAHAHAhaha! right... and you certainly weren't talking about Bill Clinton at all over the past 16 years, and DEFINITELY not during the election, were you? And you haven't been talking about Benghazi at all even though that was over several times.

"Anyway, the list I outlined, are things Dems need to work on if they want to even be considered as a relevant party. "

No, actually, you just made a list of what you do on a daily basis, then claimed others, not you, do them. It's fact.

"had he lost Florida....Hillary would have been the next president."

You still have to admit that he did not have the vote of the people, plain and simple, which, on top of Russia hacking the election (which Trump and Co have finally admitted), is one of the reasons why Lewis rightly points out how Trump will be an illegitimate president. And Trump then lashes out at the man and his record on Civil Rights, when Trump is one of the biggest bigots put on the world stage.

But hey, didn't you say you're going to chill with a box of California red and pepperoni pizza next week and enjoy the Bruce Springsteen cover band; one of the only acts they could get to perform? A "man of the people" indeed! :)

Jan. 15, 2017
08:35 pm JST

And yet, still the preference of the people. Just goes to show how much of a joke the American electoral system is. The party in charge isn't the one that the people wanted, it's the one that played the game better. The game is more important than the will of the people.

Jan. 15, 2017
09:02 pm JST

The only candidate the alt left would ever consider legitimate would be an alt left candidate.

President (elect) Trump won 30 of 50 states and received 57 percent of the EC vote. Butthurt far left liberal democrats, who on this day next week will become a minority U.S. party, need to accept the fact that they got shellacked and move on; otherwise, when the midterms roll around in 2018 they will be doing America a yuuuge favor by becoming an even more insignificant political party. . . .

Jan. 15, 2017
09:09 pm JST

@Strangerland

And yet, still the preference of the people. Just goes to show how much of a joke the American electoral system is. The party in charge isn't the one that the people wanted, it's the one that played the game better. The game is more important than the will of the people.

I have no idea how you can cling to that idea. The Democrats lost across the board in this election: the Senate, the House, Governor races and State Legislatures. The DNP currently has the lowest level of public support since the 1940s.

If Clinton had won based on the popular vote, it would have put her completely out of step with the rest of the country based on voter turnout from two urban areas. The Electoral College exists to prevent that from happening, and it did its job.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:06 pm JST

HAHAHAhaha! right... and you certainly weren't talking about Bill Clinton at all over the past 16 years, and DEFINITELY not during the election, were you?

Excuse me, but how would you know if I covered or spoke about Clinton??

And you haven't been talking about Benghazi at all even though that was over several times.

Sure I have.

You still have to admit that he did not have the vote of the people, plain and simple,

Sigh, he didn't jump into the presidency by himself mystically, someone put him there. So according to the Electoral system, he blew Clinton out of the water, yeah, I'll admit that.

which, on top of Russia hacking the election (which Trump and Co have finally admitted),

He didn't, he said, could be, possible, he would review the intelligence findings.

is one of the reasons why Lewis rightly points out how Trump will be an illegitimate president.

With all due Resoect to the Congressman, he's just annoyed, the Dems time has run out of time, pure and simple, when (R) Joe Wilson shouted out to Obama "you lie" I thought that was very disrespectful and when some on the right questioned the legitimacy of Baracks presidency, every bleeding liberal I knew went beserk, now that Trump's in we should take action, give me a break! Lol
Anyway, how will you be celebrating Trump's inauguration? I'm having homemade hand tossed pizza with organically grown basil and you?

And Trump then lashes out at the man and his record on Civil Rights, when Trump is one of the biggest bigots put on the world stage.

He's not a bigot, he's son in law is Jewish, his spokeswoman is Black, try again.

But hey, didn't you say you're going to chill with a box of California red and pepperoni pizza next week and enjoy the

I'm making my own and I never liked Springsteen. Also, it's a presidential inauguration, not a rock fest.

Lol, you liberals, partying is more important than working than taking care of the country, I keep forgetting, being liked is generally the liberal mantra Good lord.

@Nish

That's ok, I knew you would say that, so luckily, the nice guy that I am, I found one of many. I know it's hard for liberals to take in the truth, so sit down, grab a beer and take it all in.

Jan. 15, 2017
10:19 pm JST

The US is not a democracy. Sorry. It's a republic. Laws are what put Trump on top, not majority. It's not the first time the electoral college defeats the electorate. Wont't be the last. In how many of these cases did the democrats lose? What have they done about it?

Jan. 15, 2017
10:49 pm JST

The US is not a democracy. Sorry. It's a republic. Laws are what put Trump on top, not majority. It's not the first time the electoral college defeats the electorate. Wont't be the last. In how many of these cases did the democrats lose? What have they done about it?

Jan. 15, 2017
11:03 pm JST

Jan. 15, 2017
11:10 pm JST

I don't think it is a partisan issue. Normally when elections are close in the popular vote they are likewise relatively close in the Electoral College. The exceptions tend to be when there are major third party or independent candidates that hold down the winner's popular vote share but are not significant Electoral College players themselves.

Jan. 15, 2017
11:17 pm JST

I think it's refreshing to see a president push back when he is unfairly criticized. Get used to it; Trump is not a spinelss wimp like many other presidents we have had. If you attack him, he is going to respond. If you need a safe space, go re-enroll in college.

Jan. 15, 2017
11:48 pm JST

Jan. 16, 2017
01:40 am JST

The U.S. election result is like a football game against the Super Bowl bound Dallas Cowboys (foreigners at this site won't understand this analogy, but this post is not directed at them) this season: a team playing the 'boys may have amassed more rushing and passing yards, but lost because America's Team put more points on the scoreboard when the final whistle was blown. . . .

Jan. 16, 2017
02:45 am JST

Our Founding Fathers were right in setting up the way we choose our POTUS.

All presidential political camps know the rules before they start campaigning. Why else would Mrs. Clinton call PE Trump on election night to congratulate him on winning? A popular vote victory is only for bragging rights and a reason for butthurt liberals to cry themselves to sleep every night for the next 4-8 years. . . .

Jan. 16, 2017
06:43 am JST

Rep. Lewis' three decades of inauguration attendance would definitely include the inauguration for the 1996 election, which Bill Clinton won with the help of illegal funding from the mainland Chinese government.

Jan. 16, 2017
06:59 am JST

Strangerland - Yeah, why should the candidate that gets the most votes win in an democracy win? The logic of having the winner be the candidate with the most votes is just baffling. I mean, it's a democracy, right?

Strangerland - That's a great justification about why the candidate with the most votes should not be the winner in a democracy Lizz.

Most democracies do not pick their state leader thru a popular vote. It appears that you have a lot of work to do if you're going to change the world.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Parliamentary_system

You can start with each of the 50 states within the U.S.A., and then convince their federal government to do as you tell them. Good luck with that.

Strangerland - The democrats are already relevant - Americans prefer the democratic party over the Republican party. That's why they democrats got 3 million more votes.

During Obama's rule, the Democrat Party lost control of the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, and the Presidency. He's had a busy eight years. It appears that Americans love the Democrats so much that they have relieved the Democrats of the burden of holding elected power.

Jan. 16, 2017
07:17 am JST

Jan. 16, 2017
08:20 am JST

Trump can skip the usual media spin, twist, and bias by talking directly to the public/voters. The news media outlets object to Trump's talking to the public without the news medias bias.

Trump tweeted on Saturday that Lewis, D-Ga, “should spend more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results.”

Congressman John Lewis, D-Ga, should be spending more time, and money, helping his own district instead of whining because Hillary lost.

Jan. 16, 2017
08:55 am JST

Jan. 16, 2017
09:03 am JST

Too many people here don't understand the US electoral system. Many of us in non-swing states voted for third party candidates because we had the freedom to do so without affecting the main contest. Had it been a two way contest, the great majority of the voters for right-wing/libertarian third party candidates (Johnson & McMullen) would have gone to Trump while the great majority of the voters for left-wing/green third party candidates (Stein) would have gone to Clinton. So Trump would have won the popular vote.

Jan. 16, 2017
10:28 am JST

Mr Lewis was entitled to speak his opinion until he said that the new President is not legitimate. Once he puts that out as an attack on Trump, he need to understand that he will be corrected. That moves beyond an opinion and into the area of disinformation.

I understand and respect his work in civil rights, but the fact that he was with MLK and this is the weekend of MLK birthday doesnt give him a free pass to speak incorrectly.

Jan. 16, 2017
10:48 am JST

The US is not a democracy. Sorry. It's a republic. yet the US still harps on about being a pillar of modern democracy and treating everybody equal . yet its own electoral system clearly shows that's just an illusion. Just of note South Africa is also a republic.

Jan. 16, 2017
11:27 am JST

Jan. 16, 2017
12:02 pm JST

These Republicans keep trying to claim the Democrats have lost relevancy, when they got 3 million more votes that the Republicans. Hard to escape that huge fact.

During Obama's rule, the Democrat Party lost control of the U.S. House, the U.S. Senate, and the Presidency. He's had a busy eight years. It appears that Americans love the Democrats so much that they have relieved the Democrats of the burden of holding elected power.

If that were even remotely true, EVEN if Dems lose the presidency, they could still have majorities elsewhere else, but they don't and as long as they think like you do, they will have next to an impossible time getting elected to anything, which is fine by me.

Jan. 16, 2017
01:20 pm JST

Trump’s assertion that Lewis’ district is “falling apart” and “crime infested” is hard to prove.

From Wiki

Atlanta is now a major transportation hub when it comes to trafficking young girls from Mexico and is one of the fourteen U.S. cities with the highest levels of sex trafficking of children.

I guess Lewis is feeling a little guilty after bad mouthing Sanders of his commitment to Civil Rights during the campaign and throwing all his influence behind the establishment and Hillary. This guy actually helped Trump win.

Jan. 16, 2017
03:39 pm JST

Strangerland - Yeah, why should the candidate that gets the most votes win in an democracy win? The logic of having the winner be the candidate with the most votes is just baffling. I mean, it's a democracy, right?

You've (probably) been singing Obama's praises for the last 8 to 10 years ...

... in spite of his loss of the popular vote to Hillary in the 2008 primary.

Jan. 16, 2017
03:43 pm JST

... in spite of his loss of the popular vote to Hillary in the 2008 primary.

No kidding, I didn't know that. Just another example of how the primaries need a restructuring. That time, the democrats probably figured it was all good since a democrat ended up becoming president, but this time it very likely may have cost them the presidency, as Sanders was a much better candidate than Hillary.

Jan. 16, 2017
04:10 pm JST

Strangerland: No kidding, ...

I didn't know it either but just saw it claimed on a meme and looked it up on wikipedia ... Now I understand (bass4funk's?) claim that Hillary won the popular vote three times but lost both elections in spite of it ...

Jan. 17, 2017
12:42 am JST

Jan. 17, 2017
02:08 am JST

nishikat - Of course it was the Republicans. Why would the KKK vote against the party that created them.

Factual history doesn't agree with your version. Of course it was the Democrats. Former Confederates and Democrats created the Klan after they lost the U.S. Civil War.

The first Klan had mixed results in terms of achieving its objectives. It seriously weakened the black political establishment through its use of assassinations and threats of violence; it drove some people out of politics. On the other hand, it caused a sharp backlash, with passage of federal laws that historian Eric Foner says were a success in terms of "restoring order, reinvigorating the morale of Southern Republicans, and enabling blacks to exercise their rights as citizens." Historian George C. Rable argues that the Klan was a political failure and therefore was discarded by the Democratic leaders of the South. He says:

the Klan declined in strength in part because of internal weaknesses; its lack of central organization and the failure of its leaders to control criminal elements and sadists. More fundamentally, it declined because it failed to achieve its central objective – the overthrow of Republican state governments in the South.

After the Klan was suppressed, similar insurgent paramilitary groups arose that were explicitly directed at suppressing Republican voting and turning Republicans out of office: the White League, which started in Louisiana in 1874; and the Red Shirts, which started in Mississippi and developed chapters in the Carolinas. For instance, the Red Shirts are credited with helping elect Wade Hampton as governor in North Carolina. They were described as acting as the military arm of the Democratic Party and are attributed with helping white Democrats regain control of state legislatures throughout the South.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ku_Klux_Klan

Abraham Lincoln was the first Presidential candidate of the newly established Republican Party. The Democrats succeeded because a Republican was elected POTUS.

Jan. 17, 2017
08:24 am JST

As much as I dislike Trump and see him to be unfit for office I take issue with some of this. First of all, the way Trump reacted to what John Lewis said reinforces my belief that he should not be President. A grown up is needed in Washington to take his electronic devices away until he can learn to act responsibly (quit the Twittering or Tweeting...whatever it is called). It is an embarrassment.

On the other hand John Lewis opened the door to Trump's reaction by making such a statement right before the inauguration. Trump should have kept his mouth shut (or his hands off the keyboard). There may be other reasons to call Trump a racist, however the fact he reacted to Lewis in and of itself does not qualify.

Again I am reminded how Trump was lambasted for saying he would wait and see if he would accept the results of the election. However now that he actually won people are doing exactly what they crucified Trump for doing.

Jan. 17, 2017
08:39 am JST

Now wait a minute!!

The last Republican president was not racist. They are not boycotting a Republican president. They are boycotting a racist who said that Obama was born in Kenya, wants to make a Muslim registry, and hates Mexicans and its country.

Republicans should take note and boycott the inauguration of future Democrat presidents

Now if the Republicans had boycotted Obama then why? Because they think he was born in Kenya? Very poor comparison.

Jan. 17, 2017
09:12 am JST

nishikat - No, the Klan vote Republican. They would not vote against their creator. Would they? Why? Please explain.

Did you read the link I provided?

Have you read any U.S. pre-Civil War history? The Democrats in the south objected to any, and every, attempt to limit, or end, slavery. After the Republican Party candidate, Abe Lincoln, was elected President in 1860, seven slave states (D) succeeded from the Union before Lincoln's inauguration day.

Jan. 17, 2017
09:23 am JST

The statement of certain speaker about Obama's place of birth doesn't automatically make him 'racist'.

Yes it does and his hatred for the Hispanic race as well. Mr. Blue Collar Bruce Springsteen doesn't even want to attend now. I sure would not want to be associated with a racist like that.

Did you read the link I provided?

It's all fake. There is no logic. Which Democrat president created the KKK? And why would the KKK turn on their own party that created them and vote Trump? If I were KKK and if that were really true then I would personally vote Democrat forever. Please explain why all the racists are voting Trump even though the Democrats created these racist groups? Trump following Conservatives don't believe in what Liberal Wikipedia says anyway, so why are you posting that?

Jan. 17, 2017
09:47 am JST

It's crazy that the 'teams' have gotten to the point where they are holding the other 'team' responsible for things that happened over 100 years ago. It's also crazy if any 'team' member feels the need to defend their 'team' for something that happened 100 years ago.

This is why America is broken. People only care about their 'team', not about the good of the country. They'll defined their 'team' even when they know their 'team' is wrong, because 'team' is more important than doing the right thing.

Jan. 17, 2017
09:06 pm JST

Which president fought the racist South before the civil war?

Lincoln would be a Democrat (today) since he is too smart. He would also have class and would never say that Obama was born in Kenya like Trump did. And he would not hate Mexicans like Trump. Lincoln would know that all it takes is ladders and ropes to get over walls so he would never push that stupid idea-and he knows that Mexico would never pay for it. Besides the founding fathers had slaves and conservatives worship those people as much as slaves. Why do Trump lovers worship the founding fathers so much even though they were slave owners and stole the land from the native Americans.

If today were civil war time then Trump would be the Confederate president supporting slavery. In a different time I can easily imagine Trump owning slaves. Trump does support Brexit so of course he would support the confederacy.

No wonder why white supremacists, KKK, Aryans, Dylan Roof, David Duke support Trump. If it were civil war time then Trump would be Jefferson Davis, NOT Lincoln.

... “Today, Donald Trump attacked me on Twitter. He said that I’m ‘all talk’ and ‘no action,'” reads a DNC fundraising email sent Saturday. “I’ve been beaten bloody, tear-gassed, fighting for what’s right for America. I’ve marched at Selma with Dr. King. Sometimes that’s what it takes to move our country in the right direction.” ... “We refuse to stop now. We’re not done fighting for progress. We’re ready for the next four years,” the email adds before asking, “Are you with us? Join me and chip in whatever you can today to help Democrats stand up to injustice.” ... The Democrat’s fundraising email says donations will “be divided evenly between the DNC and John Lewis for Congress.” ...

... Paid for by the Democratic National Committee, (address) and not authorized by any candidate or candidate's committee. Contributions or gifts to the Democratic National Committee are not tax deductible.

Jan. 18, 2017
07:42 am JST

@nishikat: Lincoln would be a Democrat (today) since he is too smart.

Is that some kind of joke? I seriously doubt Lincoln would support the modern Democrats racist affirmative action policies. Only the Democrat party supports government policies that specifically states that people of certain race(s) should be granted preferential treatment. I have never heard of any policy that Republicans support that says one race should be treated differently than others based on their race (with the ironic exception that many individual Republicans support of affirmative action against white citizens). All of the policies that Dems say are targeted at hurting blacks are not targeted to any race and are no different from policies in Democrat states - such as voter id in New York state.

Jan. 18, 2017
10:23 am JST

Oh yeah, and it has now come to light that the whole thing about this being the first time he has ever skipped the inauguration. Except for when it was Bush, when he also didnt attend for the exact same reason. So just another partisan shot at Trump with no actual basis in anything factual, same as every other day. Especially interesting because it seems the people that beat him during the civil rights movement were Democrats.....

Total attempt at setting up Trump to look bad, as well as a fundraising opportuntity it seems from @turbostat post. No one seems to care that 8 people were shot during an MLK celebration, why doesnt he and his buddies go check into and see what they can do to spread the non violence message of MLK.

Jan. 18, 2017
04:58 pm JST

I seriously doubt Lincoln would support the modern Democrats racist

I seriously double Lincoln would agree that Obama was born in Kenya. Lincoln would also think that Trump was a very racist person. And if the Democrats are bad for blacks and good for whites then how come the KKK is not voting for them.

No one answered my question. If the Dem. party created the KKK then how come the KKK stopped voting for them. Please answer. I think Lincoln would want to know too. Lincoln would be shocked if the KKK voted for the party he was part of.

Jan. 18, 2017
05:02 pm JST

What? ""more than a million people took to the streets to protest a Republican-backed immigration bill that would have made it a crime to be in the country illegally"" I don't remember reading about this back in 2006... How can it NOT be a crime???????? That demonstration seems to me totally ludicrous. 'a stupid white man goes into the Jappolice and says: "hey, my visa expired a few months ago, but I can still stay here, right"? people have no capacity for rational thought or logical reasoning...it would seem. And how many of that million headcount were illegals? literally unfathomable !! Or, am I missing something?

Jan. 19, 2017
04:21 am JST

"The protests mark the latest chapter in a movement that has evolved since 2006, when more than a million people took to the streets to protest a Republican-backed immigration bill that would have made it a crime to be in the country illegally."

I had to laugh!! HAHAHA! Made it a crime to perform an illegal act!

Last time I checked....every time an illegal act is done,,,,it IS A CRIME!

Jan. 20, 2017
03:45 am JST

nishikat - It's all fake. There is no logic. Which Democrat president created the KKK?

Who said a Democrat president created the KKK?

Trump following Conservatives don't believe in what Liberal Wikipedia says anyway, so why are you posting that?

The KKK was created after the U.S. Civil War by ex-Confederates and Democrats. If you object to Wikipedia, you could check out a history book. Simply denying history you don't like doesn't mean that the historical record is incorrect.

Jan. 20, 2017
05:08 am JST

Jan. 20, 2017
10:23 am JST

Nishikat: the KKK are an irrelevant and spent force in American life. Their total membership is less than 5,000 people. The best thing to do about them is to ignore them as a relic of the past.

As for the Trump/Lewis feud, all I can say is that it wasn't started by Trump. It was started by someone who may be one of the best examples of why the US needs to impose term limits on the Congress. 32 years in Congress is ridiculous. Mr. Lewis needs to apologize for his mockery of the American electoral system. And, if he were an honorable man, he would retire.

Jan. 22, 2017
09:43 am JST

Jan. 22, 2017
09:47 am JST

SWAMI’S THOUGHTS ON THE SUBJECT: Maybe a bit belated to air my thought but I think Donald Trump was perfectly right to urge Congressman John Lewis D-ga to focus on improving living conditions for people in his district which Trump termed as in ‘horrible condition’ ! He should spend ‘more time on fixing and helping his district, which is in horrible shape and falling apart (not to mention crime infested) rather than falsely complaining about the election results,” Donald Trump said. In his inaugural address, Trump bluntly put that there was no room for politicians who talk and talk and take no action to improve ground level for people. ‘We will not accept politicians who are all talk and no action,’ he said.

Trump followers think there is no such thing as racism. That's the way racists are. They don't realize they are racist. Slave owners felt it was 100% perfectly normal to have slaves. Even the founding fathers had them.

Jan. 22, 2017
11:45 am JST

The writers of the Constitutionhad slaves. Yes, they were great people. If it weren't for them the US would have universal healthcare and be speaking a non-standard accent of English. Really! Thank god for he founding fathers.

Jan. 22, 2017
12:42 pm JST

Jan. 22, 2017
01:13 pm JST

Trump is not in power yet.- a big point that lots of people miss. He is isn't able to do any actions- barely transitioning up to this point. He couldn't feud with with the useless intelligence intelligences because he has only just become the president of the USA- did you miss that he just had the inauguration. Obama just gave $500 million to the UN that is an action of a third world dictator.

Jan. 22, 2017
06:20 pm JST

Remember how great things were up to 48 hours ago? It was so good nobody could rely on US foreign policy, the only thing predictable wasit was unpredictable. Not exactly a comfortable thing to deal with. In the US, there are no accomplishments, but the opposite the past administration.
Coming up with anything of benefit to the US population is an effort in pure futility. Nothing presented could be proven, and the government tried to say that "science" was a consensus! Absurd.
The entire US Climate policy was based only ONE article on ONE voluntary response and only 75 responders responses were literally "accepted". The rest were thrown out! They kept only 3 naysayers to pretend some sort of objectivity. From that you got a "consensus" of all world wide climatologists.
Give me a break!
The rest was all down hill. California, specifically LA, was the only thing that made clinton some "winner of the popular vote". And California has been doing so well with socialism. Riiiiight.
Never before has the US seen such a group of petulant children thrown onto the world stage and all paid for by a couple of instigators with no concern for the country. Soros and the Clinton Foundation should ring a bell.
You and I don't know what trump will bring, but he's at least pledged to support citizens first. Whatever happens, it can't be worse than the children who mindlessly took us through the past 8 years. And our allies will be supported and rewarded. Of that, have confidence.

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